# 263: Change Management and Making Robotics More Digestible for the Workforce featuring Ben Perlson and Jason Gryszkowiec

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2025-11-25
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Ben Perlson of ABB Robotics and Jason Gryszkowiec of St. Onge Company discuss why successful automation deployments require robust change management to make robotics digestible for the workforce. They explain how modular pilots and upskilling operators for basic troubleshooting help bridge the gap between fixed-path programming and dynamic, adaptive systems. The conversation highlights the different support needs of enterprise organizations versus mom-and-pop shops, emphasizing empathy and meeting customers where they are in their automation journey.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=0) Introduction and Change Management Basics
- [4:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=290) Making Robotics Digestible and Intuitive
- [9:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=579) Evolution of Robotics Applications
- [13:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=828) Reskilling Operators and Supervisors
- [19:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=1167) Enterprise vs. Mom-and-Pop Automation Needs
- [23:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=1423) Modular Implementation and Risk Management
- [27:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=1626) ABB's Four-Level Project Segmentation
- [31:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-25-263-change-management-and-making-robotics-more-digestible-for-the-workforce-feat#t=1870) The Role of TRG and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ABB Robotics (company)
- St. Onge Company (company)
- The Robotics Group (company)
- Moxa (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Walmart (company)
- ProMat (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Solving Labor Challenges the Simpler Way: A Fresh Look at Robotics w/ Ken Macken](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-03-solving-labor-challenges-the-simpler-way-a-fresh-look-at-robotics-w-ken-macken) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Amplifiers of the workforce: The future of robots in manufacturing w/ Ryan Lillibridge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-04-06-amplifiers-of-the-workforce-the-future-of-robots-in-manufacturing-w-ryan-lillibr) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Adrian Stoch: Driving Hai Robotics' U.S. expansion](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-10-03-adrian-stoch-driving-hai-robotics-u-s-expansion) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Plug-and-Play AI: Transforming Robotics with Modular Skills](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-06-plug-and-play-ai-transforming-robotics-with-modular-skills) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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